Global refined zinc supply gap to continue into 2019: study group

Published: Oct 10, 2018 12:14
Demand for refined zinc will exceed supply by 322,000 mt this year, and the supply gap will narrow to 72,000 mt in 2019

SHANGHAI, Oct 10 (SMM) – Global demand for refined zinc will exceed supply by 322,000 mt this year, and the supply gap will narrow to 72,000 mt in 2019, said the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) in a report this week.

Demand for refined zinc is expected to grow 0.4% to 13.74 million mt in 2018 and climb 1.1% to 13.88 million mt in 2019, ILZSG estimates.

The study group expects a deficit of 123,000 mt in the global refined lead market in 2018, but a surplus of 50,000 mt in 2019.

ILZSG expects global demand for refined lead to increase by 0.2% to 11.71 million mt this year and by 0.7% to 11.79 million mt next year.

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